A Lesson in Relaxation From Miranda Kerr

After a stretch of lovely spring days, it was an unseasonably cold, rainy afternoon when I went to meet Miranda Kerr, the global brand ambassador of Clear Scalp & Hair. I was feeling stressed with all the things on my to-do list, the stormy weather, and had no idea what to expect from the former Victoria's Secret model (other than being totally gorgeous). She was undeniably beautiful, yes, but she also had a calming presence that put me at ease despite my mood—no joke.

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After we talked about her super-soft hair (I know, because she let me touch it) which had been washed with Clear shampoo and conditioner but had no other products in it, we moved on to her meditation practice (hence her contagious Zen-like demeanor), why she's okay with skipping Coachella, and what she misses about being a Victoria's Secret model.

You're the face of yet another brand. How do you handle it all?

Planning and preparation. But since I've had my son, even though I have a much bigger diversity in the brands I'm representing—everything from hair care, to shoes, to jewelry—I'm actually working fewer days. To me, it's important to work smarter and not necessarily harder. Spending time with my son is my priority.

I just heard the Victoria's Secret show is going to be in London next year. Do you miss being a part of that?

I'm really good friends with Ed Razek [Victoria's Secret's Chief Marketing Officer] and with a couple of the girls. We felt very much like a family, so I miss that. And I miss those trips—we used to go to St. Barts all the time...beautiful destinations. I'm so grateful for that opportunity and all those fun experiences, but I couldn't continue to work like that with my son.

I meditate daily: morning and night. Sometimes I use a personalized meditation that goes on all night. In the morning I do deep breathing meditations, like five breaths in, and six to eight breaths out.

You seem so Zen. Do you have any advice for people stressed out from dealing with the day-to-day?

Daily gratitude for simple things: the fact that we can walk, that we have eyesight, that we're breathing, that we're humans, that we're having this experience. Some days are challenging, but know those days bring so much more depth and strength and character.

Did you grow up in a spiritual home or is this something you picked up later in life?

My grandmother taught me the importance of prayer and we used to pray every night before bed. It's something I've always done.

Do you have any beauty tricks you've learned along the way?

My friend [makeup artist] Rosemary Swift taught me how to curl my lashes with a spoon. You heat it up with a hairdryer, then clamp your lashes down with your hand, but be careful it's not too hot. I also love coconut oil (Clear has coconut oil in it), sometimes I'll put it in my hair overnight for a good treatment.

What about fashion? What are you excited to wear now that it is finally getting warmer?

I love long dresses that are just easy to put on—a dress or a skirt in a lightweight, sheer fabric.

Sounds like a Coachella outfit. Are you sad you weren't there?

No, I've actually never been. I'm not into big crowds so much. I prefer to be at home or in nature with my feet in the grass.

What do you like to do when you do go out in New York?

I will go out on occasion with my girlfriends. We go to ABC, they have good food and a good atmosphere.

Are your girlfriends people you've known awhile or people in the industry?

It's a mix. One of my best friends is coming here from Australia this week. She's been my best friend since I was seven, she has three children, and she's coming to visit because it's my birthday, on Easter.

Happy birthday! You're turning 31, how does it feel?

It's a wonderful place to be at, I am very happy to be where I am at and everything that comes with that. I'm happier now than I've ever been in my life.